Monthly Archives: September 2009

Every archivist has a bit of the archeologist in her. As we delve through the Grateful Dead Archive coming across important artifacts so apparently are California State Archeologists at the Olompali State Historical Park. Located north of San Francisco the park was originally settled by the Miwok Indians, but in the mid to late 60s it was the site of a hippie commune. And it was home to the Grateful Dead in 1966. The stuff that is being excavated and cataloged by archeologists in the historic park includes sneakers and red plastic Monopoly hotel pieces (and what about macramé and roach clips and beads???) The July-August issue (Vol. 62, No.4) of Archaeology Magazine is running the article “Digging in the Age of Aquarius” about the site. It quotes state archaeologist E. Breck Parkman saying that these artifacts will enable the interpretation of “a period of political turbulence, generational conflicts, and cultural experimentation that shaped modern America.”

Gameing is big business, and the aesthetics and theory of games is now firmly footed in academia. At UCSC a class “Video Games As Visual Culture” is being offered and a student can major in Computer Game Design. Two new board games are appealing to us bookish types here in the Library’s Grateful Dead Archive. Coming soon will be GRATEFUL DEAD-OLOPY, a creation from Discovery Bay Games, the Washington State company that produced “Garage Band: The Game.” According to Craig Olson, Discovery Bay Games’ CEO, Bob Weir has been directly involved with developing the game’s content. Beyond DEAD-OLOPY there is also “Liebrary” a bluff game surrounding the opening lines in books. …”A screaming comes across the sky.”

Gameing is big business and the aesthetics and theory of games is now firmly footed in academia. At UCSC in the upcoming quarter a “Video Games As Visual Culture” class is being taught, and a student can major in Computer Game Design. Two new board games are appealing to us bookish and archivist types here in the Library’s Grateful Dead Archive. Coming soon will be “Grateful Dead-oply” a creation from Discovery Bay Games, the Washington State company that produced “Garage Band: The Game.” According to Craig Olson, Discovery Bay Games’ CEO, Bob Weir has been directly involved with developing the game’s content. After one gets out of jail, one might also like to play “Liebrary.” a bluff game surrounding opening lines in books. …”A screaming comes across the sky.”